Snowflake Pattern

I've had a request to post my snowflake pattern on my blog for those individuals not on ravelry, so here it is!

Materials Needed:
White crochet cotton, size 3
US G/4.00MM crochet hook
(Please feel free to use any size or color of thread and crochet hook.)

Glossary of Terms:
PM = Place Marker (It is not entirely necessary to place a marker at the point noted in the pattern. This is just my way of saving time trying to count the chains because I always get nervous and think I am crocheting into the wrong part of the chain. Because the stitches are so small, I use a plain old paper clip, they’re cheap, and slide in and out of the stitches very easily.)
Christmas Snowflake Pattern:
1: Chain 10, join a with slip stitch to form ring.
2: sc 24 into ring. Join to 1st sc of round with a slip stitch.
3: **ch 5, PM in the 5th chain that was just made, ch 8, slip stitch into the marked chain and remove marker, *ch 8, slip stitch into the same chain as the last slip stitch, repeat from *once more; ch 4, Connect to the 4th sc (from round 2) w/ a sc. Repeat 5 more times from **. Break yarn, and weave in ends.
Finishing:
Soak in water, and block, using stiffener of your choice. I also like to spray with a little
glitter to add some sparkle.
This pattern is copyright Blogless Knitting 2008

A Christmas Snowflake

I am literally snowed in today. At first it was just thick, fat, luscious snowflakes falling lazily to the ground. Now, overnight, it has worked itself up into quite a frenzy; that thin, powdery kind of snow that swirls in all directions before finally settling to the ground. But it doesn’t stay there long. The wind picks it up and sends it skittering across the ground, drifting into the roads, and sometimes briefly forming small snow tornados that scatter quickly, but are amazing to see nonetheless.

Yes, snow brings its problems: the cold, the ice, the near impossible traffic conditions. My kids can get bored rather quickly on snow days due to the almost certain kind of monotony in the never ending snow.

However, today is special because it’s the first snow day, and that makes it magical. Snow days at our house mean hot chocolate. Snow days mean family movie time, and playing board games around the dining room table. It means reading books aloud to my children and cuddling up in blankets and looking at the lights on the Christmas tree. I love it. Every moment.

And today I have also been working on my very own snowflake design. It crochets up very quickly. As I’m snowed in, I used the smallest hook I could find at the moment, which is a size G/4.00MM hook. The finished snowflake ended up being about 3.5 inches across. Of course, the beauty of these small crocheted snowflakes is that you can use whatever size hook and crochet thread you like—the many combinations of thread colors and hook size ensure that each snowflake you make will be a little different from the other, just like real snowflakes.

You can download the pattern for free on Ravelry.

Here's the link: A Christmas Snowflake.

Enjoy!

Some Things I've been working on...

Well, here I am, completely shameless about the fact that I have not posted any knitting news on here in so long--I am so not the blogger type! I have several journals and diaries from when I was a kid that are half empty-yet there are a few treasured memories in there which make me glad for attempting to document parts of my life. The point is that I like to try to keep a journal/blog, even though I'm not very good at it. :)
I have been working on several designs lately, some of which are for a possible knitting book based on the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer.
I. Love. Twilight. Love. Need I say more?
There are three patterns I have finished that will be submitted for possible publishing soon. First, a little tote bag called the "Twilight Tote" that will feature intarsia charts with little quotes from the books--"Be Safe", "La Tua Cantante", and "Stupid Shiny Volvo Owner". In addition, there will be a girl from Ravelry who plans to submit some "Team Jacob", "Team Edward" charts. Two of the charts feature simple embroidery on them as well. The bag has a ribbon threaded through eyelet holes at the top, along with a picot edging.
The next pattern is called the "Vegetarian Wrap", and it is meant to depict the color change that a vegetarian vampire's eyes go through, from gold, on down to black. There will also be a volturi version that goes from bright red to black. The wrap has a simple diagonal lace pattern, and looks really great with the color changes that occur in it.
The last pattern is for the Wolf Pack, and it is neither knit or crochet but a twisted leather cord. If you've read the books (and I assume you have if you have read this far), then you'll remember in Eclipse when Bella notices that Jacob has a small leather anklet around his ankle, to help him carry his clothes when he is in his wolf form. That's the inspiration for my "Wolf Pack Anklet."
I haven't posted any photos here on my blog, but if you're on ravelry, you can see them here, here, and here. I am not sure when the book will actually be published, as it is still in its infancy, but will try to post here as soon as I have that knowledge!
In addition to the above, I have a baby hat pattern that I've been meaning to share, and will post the pattern here and on ravelry within the next month or so. Here's a picture:
It turned out really cute, and I can't wait to share the pattern!

Miniature Easter Baskets

While in the kitchen this morning making breakfast, I heard some noises out
back. I finished flipping the pancakes, and peeked out of the curtains to take a
look. Hmm…nothing. Nothing but luscious fat snowflakes, lazily drifting down to
blanket the ground with another layer of snow.
“That’s odd,” I said to myself.
“What’s odd, Mommy?” My oldest said, rubbing at his tired eyes as he walked
into the kitchen.
“I thought I heard something out back,” I replied.
He sat down at the table, and as I began to pour the orange juice, I heard the
sound again. My son’s eyes grew wide as he turned to look at me, and asked,
“Mommy what was that?”
“Something scurrying about outside, I think. Do you want to go wake up your
sister and take a look?”
Off he ran, and the next few moments were filled with a flurry of boots and coats,
hats and mittens. Ready for the investigation, my daughter opened up the kitchen
door and the kids slowly poked their heads outside, when finally my daughter
shrieked in delight. “Mommy, look! Look what we found!” And I, smiling, went out
to look….

It appears that the Easter Bunny has come early this year for a tiny pre-Easter treat. These little crocheted Easter baskets are so cute, I’m sure the Easter Bunny won’t mind me sharing the pattern below.

The baskets are about 1 ½ inches tall, and 2 inches across, not including the shell edging. Taking into account the length of the handle, the total height is about 3 ½ inches. They are just large enough to hold a handful of jellybeans, or one Easter egg. Crocheted in continuous rounds, these miniature baskets are fast and easy to complete!

This pattern is also now available as a free ravelry pdf download here.

Miniature Easter Basket Pattern

Fiber: 2 colors worsted weight yarn (color A, and B); I used Caron Simply Soft

Hook size: G US/4.00 mm

Notions: darning needle, small stitch marker

Stitches Used: ch, dc, sc, sl st

This basket is crocheted in continuous rounds.

With color A, ch 2

1: Work 6 sc in second ch from hook. Make sure to mark the beginning of each round with the stitch marker, remembering to move it up to the next round as you go.

2: 2 sc in each sc around. (12 sts)

3: (sc in next st; 2 sc in next st) rep to end of round. (18 sts)

4: (sc in each of next 2 sts; 2 sc in next st) rep to end of round. (24 sts)

5: (sc in each of next 3 sts; 2 sc in next st) rep to end of round. (30 sts)

6: (sc in each of next 4 sts; 2 sc in next st) rep to end of round. (36 sts)

7: (sc in each of next 5 sts; 2 sc in next st) rep to end of round. (42 sts)

8: (sc in each of next 5 sts; sc2tog) rep to end of round. (36 sts)

9-12: sc in each sc around. Break off yarn A.

13: With Yarn B, sc in each st around.

Shell Edging: (ch 1, skip 1 st, sc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st) repeat a total of 9 times. Ch1, skip 1 st, sl st into first st of next round, finish off.

Handle:

With yarn B, ch 36.

1: sc into second chain from hook, sc into each chain across. Break off yarn B. Turn.

2: With yarn A, Ch 1, sc in each st across. Do not turn work.

3: Continuing with yarn A, sc 2 sts around end of chain, continuing on to sc into the bottom edge of each chain across. Do not turn work. Finish by sc 2 sts into the end of the chain. The end result is 1 row of color B surrounded by a row of color A on all sides.

Attach the handle to the basket, fill with an Easter treat, and you are done!

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

Diagonal Slant Dishcloth Pattern!

I'm so excited to say that my pattern for a dishcloth, called "Diagonal Slant" was chosen as the January dishcloth for the yahoo group Just Dishcloths. Anne, the group leader, held a small contest for December and January for original dishcloth designs, and mine was one that got picked!
The pattern for "Diagonal Slant" is listed as the January 2008 pattern at the Just Dishcloth Group.

June 2008 I've noticed that there has not been any activity on the Just Dishcloth group for quite some time, so I have decided to make my pattern available as a free ravelry download. You can find the pattern here.
Have fun!

3D Crochet Lace Ornaments

Let's not discuss the irony of the fact that the first few patterns I share on a blog titled "Blogless Knitting" are actually crochet patterns!

In my search for Christmas ornament patterns, I ran across Judy Gibson’s pattern for her beautiful knitted lace ball, and inspiration struck. I immediately sat down and designed these crocheted Christmas ornaments, and am very pleased with the results. They are quick to make, and only need to dry over night before they are ready for hanging on your tree!

These patterns are also now available as a free ravelry download. You can find it here.

Materials Needed: Size 3 crochet Cotton; 5.00 MM (H) crochet hook; balloon (one for each ornament); craft glue (or some kind of starch for stiffening); spray glitter, if desired, scrap yarn.

Terms:

sc inc: single crochet into the stitch twice.

dc inc: double crochet into the stitch twice.

sc dec: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and pull through all three loops.

dc dec: insert hook into first stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through the last three loops.

(I am self taught when it comes to crochet; therefore the method of dc decrease used in this ornament may not be the typical decrease used. Feel free to use the decrease you are comfortable with.)

Crochet Lace Ornament 1:

Using an H hook, and size 3 crochet cotton, sc 4 into a circle.

1: dc inc in each sc around. (8 sts.)

2: *1 dc, dc inc, repeat from * around. (12 sts.)

3: *2 dc, dc inc, repeat from * around. (16 sts)

4: *3 dc, dc inc, repeat from * around. (20 sts)

5: *4 dc, dc inc, repeat from * around. (24 sts)

6-8: dc in each dc around.

9: *4 dc, dc dec, repeat from * around. (20 sts)

10: *3 dc, dc dec, repeat from * around. (16 sts)

11: *2 dc, dc dec, repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Now is a good time to weave in the first tail of crochet thread if you have not already done so.

Insert balloon into work, and continue with the next two rounds.

12: *1 dc, dc dec, repeat from * around. (8 sts)

13: dc dec in each st. around. (4 sts)

Fasten off (not too tight), weave in end.

Crochet Lace Ornament 2:

Using an H hook, and size 3 crochet cotton, sc 4 into a circle.

1. sc inc in each sc around. (8 sts)

2. sc inc in each sc around. (16 sts)

3. dc in each sc around.

4. *3 dc, dc inc in next dc, repeat from * around. (20 sts)

5. *4 dc, dc inc in next dc, repeat from * around. (24 sts.)

6. dc in each dc around.

7. *4 dc, dc dec, repeat from * around. (20 sts.)

8. *3 dc, dc dec, repeat from * around. (16 sts.)

9. *sc in next dc, repeat from * around.

Now is a good time to weave in the first yarn tail if you have not already done so.

Insert balloon into work.

10. sc dec around. (8 sts.)

11. sc dec around. (4 sts.)

Fasten off (not too tight), weave in end.

Blocking The Ornaments:

Soak the ornaments, balloon and all, in room temperature water. The neck of the balloon will naturally float on top, so don’t worry about too much water getting inside the balloon. Remove ornament from the water, and give it a squeeze to remove excess water. Next, soak the ornament in a 50/50 mixture of white craft glue and water. Squeeze out the excess glue, and then blow up the balloon. Tie balloon off, attach a piece of scrap yarn to the top of the balloon, and hang to dry.

When the ornament is dry, take the end of your crochet hook and gently poke through the holes of the ornament to loosen the balloon. Pop the balloon, and very gently pull out through the top to remove. If desired, spray the Ornament with glitter spray. Attach a pretty ribbon, and hang on your tree!

Some people prefer different types of stiffeners, so here is a link discussing alternatives.

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.

Never...

I always swore I'd never have a blog. Not that I don't like them. I enjoy a good knitting blog as much as the next person (knitter). I just thought I'd never be one of those knitters, because I'm generally a quiet person with very little to say out loud to people I do not know.
But then I have this problem. Like never being able to follow a knitting pattern without putting my own little twist on it. Then the dreams started. You know, knitting dreams. Knitting dreams that are so vivid , dreams in which I have created something so beautiful that I wake up all excited and ready to design something. Then reality sets in, and I realize what I've dreamed up is utterly ridiculous. However, it's fueled my imagination and I'm off and running.
I'm still considering myself relatively blogless, but I'll be posting knitting patterns, and the occasional crochet pattern, that I've created. Let's see where my imagination takes me...